Human Interest Real People Real People Tragedy Man Found Dead in Planet Fitness Tanning Bed 3 Days After Entering Indianapolis Gym “We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members," said a Planet Fitness official By David Chiu David Chiu David Chiu is a staff writer, Human Interest, for PEOPLE. A former PEOPLE intern from 2007 to 2008, he has been writing about news and entertainment for over 10 years. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 12, 2024 05:47PM EST Comments Indianapolis authorities are investigating the case of a man found dead in a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness location after he was reported missing by his family. The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Derek Sink, 39, in an email to PEOPLE on Tuesday, Nov. 12. As reported by the Indianapolis Star, police received a report of a body found in the tanning bed inside a Planet Fitness on Indianapolis' Hardegan Street on the morning of Monday, Nov. 11. Family of Georgia Teen Found Dead Inside Gym Mat in 2013 Hopes for Answers in Reopened Investigation According to NBC affiliate WTHR, family members said that Sink got himself into the tanning bed on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Planet Fitness on Hardegan Street. His family reported him missing on Sunday, Nov. 10, per the Indianapolis Star. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Sink’s family told WTHR that their loved one had substance abuse issues, and a needle was discovered in the room with him. Cause of Death Revealed for Wells Fargo Worker Found Dead at Desk 4 Days After Clocking In When contacted by PEOPLE on Nov. 12 about Sink’s death, an Indianapolis Metro Police Department spokesperson said: “This remains an ongoing death investigation. The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will determine the exact manner and cause of death.” Local affiliate WPTA reported that Sink wore an ankle monitor, according to his family, which assisted authorities in determining that Sink did not leave the Planet Fitness location. “We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members, and the franchise owner is working with the local authorities in their investigation," McCall Gosselin, Planet Fitness’s chief corporate affairs officer, said in a statement with PEOPLE on Nov. 12. Cousins of Murdered Teen Arrested After His Body Is Found Wrapped in Comforter Near Highway “At Planet Fitness, we have robust operational brand protocols in place, as the safety and well-being of our members is our top priority. We are working closely with our local franchisee to ensure they are upholding those brand protocols,” the statement concluded. A sign posted on Nov. 11 on the door of the Planet Fitness location in Indianapolis stated that tanning was currently unavailable, WPTA reported. Close